Ras-related protein Rab-7a (RAB7A)

Governs early-to-late endosomal maturation, microtubule minus-end in addition to plus-end led endosomal migration and positioning, and endosome-lysosome transport through different protein-protein interaction cascades. Plays a central role, not just in endosomal traffic, but also in a number of other physiological and cellular events, such as growth-factor-mediated cell signaling, nutrient- transportor mediated nutrient uptake, neurotrophin transfer in the axons of neurons and lipid metabolism.

Also involved in regulation of a few technical endosomal membrane trafficking, such as maturation of melanosomes, pathogen-induced phagosomes (or vacuoles) and autophagosomes. Plays a role in the maturation and acidification of phagosomes that engulf pathogens, such as S.